PSYCHIATRIC TECHNICIAN PROGRAM
INFORMATION PACKET
NEXT CLASS BEGINS: January 2016 (Orientation December 2015)
DEADLINE TO SUBMIT APPLICATIONS: October 30, 2015 by noon (NO EXCEPTIONS!!)
THE FOLLOWING GUIDELINES MUST BE FOLLOWED TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE
JANUARY 2015 LOTTERY:
o Must be 18 years old or older at time of Application Submission
o Must be a registered student at West Hills College
o Must have a completed FAFSA on file with the Financial Aid Office at West Hills College
o Copy of current Driver’s License or ID Card
o Copy of Social Security Card
o Copy of High School Diploma or GED
 ALL FOREIGN TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE EVALUATED (see page 5 of information packet)
o COLLEGE TRANSCRIPTS
 WEST HILLS COLLEGE – One (1) Un-Official Transcript
 ALL OTHER COLLEGES – One (1) Official, Un-Opened Transcript for each college attended
 Official Transcripts must be sent to you. (DO NOT HAVE TRANSCRIPTS SENT TO WEST HILLS)
 Official Transcripts are to remain sealed only to be opened by West Hills College Staff
 ALL FOREIGN TRANSCRIPTS NEED TO BE ELAVUATED (see page 5 of information packet)
o Placement Test Scores (Placement Tests can be submitted in lieu of Pre-Requisite Coursework)
o Veteran Status Eligibility – Copy of DD214 Required
PROGRAM PRE-REQUISITES
 MATH 100 (WHC Course or equivalent)
 ENGLISH 51A (WHC Course or equivalent)
o Transcripts must reflect 3 units with a grade of “C” or better
PLACEMENT TESTS (placement tests can be submitted in lieu of pre-requisite coursework)
 Must place into the following classes:
o Math 61 or 63 (WHC)
o English 1A or 51B (WHC)
 Placement Tests are required only if Pre-Requisite Course work has not been completed
LOTTERY PROCESS:
All applicants are screened by West Hills College Counselors. Applicants who meet the criteria of the Psychiatric
Technician Program are placed into the lottery phase. Upon submittal deadline, students are chosen by the lottery
process (computer generated), as governed by the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT).
RECORDS OF CONVICTION:
If you have been convicted of assault, fraud, chemical dependencies or are on probation when you enter the program,
you may choose to reconsider applying for the Psychiatric Technician Program. All applicants will be required pass a
background check which includes fingerprinting upon being accepted into the program. If you accept a position in the
program and do have a record of conviction as listed above, you could be asked to leave the program. If you have
concerns about your background you can visit: http://www.bvnpt.ca.gov/enforcement/enforcement_faq.shtml#a1
Revised: 06/19/2015
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PSYCHIATRIC TECHNICIAN PROGRAM
TYPICAL TASKS
 Maintain order and supervise the conduct of patients
 Help to maintain a clean and healing environment and assist patients with personal cleanliness
 Encourage patients to develop work skills and social relationships and to participate in recreational
activities
 Observe and influence patient behavior
 Teach, counsel and write reports describing physical and emotional symptoms
 Provide routine and emergency nursing care
 Maintain the safety of persons and property
 Establish effective therapeutic relationships with patients
 Maintain patient-staff boundaries
 Recognize symptoms requiring medical or psychiatric attention
 Provide individual and group therapy
 Work with the treatment team to provide occupational, recreational, vocational and educational
therapy for patients
 Think and act quickly in an emergency
 Develop clear and concise reports of incidents
 Analyze situations accurately and take effective action
 Administer medications and treatments
 Assist in the physical containment of assaultive patients
 Supervise patient work crews
 Observe and document on patients with special precautions, such as suicide or self-harm
 Assist the unit physician with “sick call
Revised: 06/19/2015
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PHYCHIATRIC TECHNICIAN PROGRAM
COURSE CONTENT
3 DAY ORIENTATION (Mandatory - Must attend all three days)
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SEMESTER 1
(Nursing Science)
SEMESTER 2
(Developmentally Disabled)
Basic Human Needs
Vital Signs
Standard Precautions
Communicable Disease,
including HIV
Asepsis, Isolation
Medication Administration
Documentation
Daily Care Skills
Skill Competencies Related to
Specific Illnesses
Introduction to Disease
Process
Care of the Geriatric Patient
Care of the Dying Patient:
Hospice
Care of the Cancer Patient
Care of the Surgical Patient
Care of the Child
Therapeutic Relationships,
Communication Skills
Basic Nutritional Needs
Anatomy and Physiology &
Common Disorders & Nursing
Care:
 Circulatory System
 Muscular/Skeletal
 Urinary System
 Endocrine System
 Integumentary System
 Nervous System
 Gastrointestinal System
 Reproductive System
Pharmacology
 Introduction to Intellectual
Disabilities
 Psychosocial Aspects of Disability
 History & Legislation
 Growth & Development
 Community Resources
 Trends in Care
 Behavior Modification
 Sensory Motor Development
 Cerebral Palsy
 Epilepsy
 Anticonvulsant Medication
 Nutrition and the Developmentally
Disabilities
 Definitions & Classifications of
Intellectual Disability
 Genetics
 Etiologies:
 Pre & Postnatal Causes of
Intellectual Disability
 Chromosomal Anomalies
 Gestational Anomalies
 Infections Intoxication’s
 Trauma
 Metabolic
 Nutritional
 Endocrine
 Gross Brain
 Environmental
 Communication
 Critical Thinking
 Cultural Diversity
 Pharmacology
Revised: 06/19/2015
SEMESTER 3
(Psychiatric Nursing)
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Mental Health
Nursing Process
Clinical Documentation
Interpersonal Relationships
Communications
Assertive Training
Interviewing, Videotaping
1:1 Therapy
Group Dynamics
Community Mental Health
Patient Rights
Theory of Personality
Development
Cultural Diversity
Adaptive Mechanisms
Defense Mechanisms
DSM Classifications
Vocabulary
Institutionalization
Therapeutic Modalities
Affective Disorders
Anxiety Disorders
Personality Disorders
Addictive Behaviors
Eating Disorders
Psychosexual Disorders
Human Sexuality
Forensic Nursing
Criminal Personality
Burnout
Pharmacology
Leadership/Supervision
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PSYCHIATRIC TECHNICIAN PROGRAM
PROGRAM COSTS
COSTS UPON ACCEPTANCE TO THE PROGRAM
DESCRIPTION OF CHARGES
Drug Screen and Background Check
Registration: (In State fees) $46.00/Unit (out of state) $346.00/unit
PROGRAM ORIENTATION (3 days – must attend all days) – 1.5 Units
SEMESTER #1 – Nursing Science - 18.5 Units
SEMESTER #2 – Developmentally Disabled – 18.5 Units
SEMESTER #3 – Psychiatric Nursing – 18.5 Units
PSYTEC 91- 0.5 Units (Optional)
Mal-Practice Insurance (Optional)
Textbooks
Miscellaneous Supplies (paper, testing supplies etc.) $30 Per Term
Uniforms (Required to purchase 2 sets - $45.00/set)
Shoes
Watch
*RESIDENCY FEES
CALIFORNIA
OUT OF STATE
$65.00
$65.00
$69.00
$851.00
$851.00
$851.00
$23.00
$35.00
$900.00
$90.00
$90.00
$75.00
$30.00
$519.00
$6,401.00
$6401.00
$6401.00
$23.00
$35.00
$900.00
$90.00
$90.00
$75.00
$30.00
$80.00
$80.00
$150.00
$24.00
$32.00
$25.00
$150.00
$24.00
$32.00
$25.00
(These items may be purchased at Campus Book store or location of your choice.
Must be in accordance with the following):
1. Uniform color must be Hunter Green
2. Shoes must be all white – including stitching and emblem color
3. Watch must include 2nd hand
Test Kit
COMPLETION COSTS - FINAL TERM
State Licensing Exam Application (due prior to end of final term):
Application Processing Fee
FBI Fingerprint Processing Fee
DOJ Fingerprint Processing Fee
Agency Fee
**TOTAL ESTIMATED PROGRAM COSTS
$4,241.00
*RESIDENCY = MUST HAVE LIVED IN CALIFORNIA FOR 1 YEAR AND 1 DAY
**ESTIMATED COST INCLUDES OPTIONAL ITEMS
$21,341.00
FINANCIAL AID
Applicants should contact the West Hills Community College Financial Aid Office regarding various sources of
educational funding.
You can also contact your local One Stop office for possible additional assistance if eligible.
o Workforce: (559) 935-7880 (Fresno County)
o JTO: (559) 585-3532 (Kings County)
o Veterans Employment-Related Assistance Program: (559) 707-3842
Revised: 06/19/2015
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PHYCHIATRIC TECHNICIAN PROGRAM
FOREIGN DOCUMENTATION GUIDELINES
All foreign educational records (High School Diploma, College Records) must be evaluated by an official
accredited evaluation service. Evaluations must be official, sealed reports including U.S. educational
equivalency for terms, degrees, course listings, and semester credit hours. Most agencies classify this as a
“course by course report”.
TRANSCRIPT EVALUATION AND TRANSLATION SERVICES
WORLD EDUCATION SERVICES
ADDRESS: Bowling Green Station, P.O. Box 5087, New York, NY 10274-5087
PHONE: (212) 966-6311
FAX: (212) 739-6100
WEB ADDRESS: www.wes.org
EDUCATIONAL CREDENTIAL EVALUATORS, INC.
ADDRESS: P.O. Box 514070, Milwaukee, WI 53203-3470
PHONE: (414) 289-3400
FAX: (414) 289-3411
WEB ADDRESS: www.ece.org
AMERICAN EDUCATION RESEARCH CORPORATION
ADDRESS: P.O. Box 996, West Covina, CA 91793-0996
PHONE: (818) 339-4404
FAX: (818) 339-9081
WEB ADDRESS: www.aerc-eval.com
THE FOREIGN EDUCATIONAL DOCUMENT SERVICE
ADDRESS: P.O. Box 4091, Stockton, CA 95204
PHONE: (209) 948-6589
FAX: (209)937-0717
INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.
ADDRESS: P.O. Box 3665, Culver City, CA 90231-3665
PHONE: (310) 258-9451
FAX: (310) 342-7086
WEB ADDRESS: www.ierf.org
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA TRANSLATORS ASSOCIATION (NCTA)
ADDRESS: P.O. Box 14015, Berkeley, CA 94712-5015
PHONE: (510) 845-8712
FAX: (510) 883-1355
WEB ADDRESS: www.ncta.org
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA TRANSLATORS AND INTERPRETERS
ADDRESS: P.O. Box 802696
PHONE: (818) 725-3899
FAX: (818) 340-9177
WEB ADDRESS: www.scatia.org
Revised: 06/19/2015
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